Beware, you are probably eating carcinogenics!

 

If you're a lover of spicy foods, chances are you have a collection of hot sauces ready to spice up your favorite dishes. From eggs to tacos and wings, a dash of hot sauce can take your meal to the next level. Maybe you’ve got a favorite brand that you always keep stocked, or you might be constantly on the lookout for gourmet options to elevate your dishes. But have you ever stopped to think about the ingredients in that hot sauce you're adding to your food? These popular hot sauces have ingredients suspected to cause health issues.

 Lower-Quality: Tapatío

Tapatío hot sauce, despite its Mexican-inspired packaging, is actually produced in California. Founder Jose-Luis Saavedra Sr., originally from Mexico, named the sauce after the people of Guadalajara. Tapatío has grown to become a household name, but like many popular sauces, its ingredient list includes some less-than-ideal components.

Along with basic ingredients like red peppers and garlic, Tapatío contains acetic acid, xanthan gum, and sodium benzoate. While xanthan gum is commonly used as a thickening agent, sodium benzoate presents potential risks. As mentioned earlier, this preservative, when combined with vitamin C, can form benzene, a known carcinogen. A small amount might be fine, but for health-conscious consumers, it's worth considering alternatives.

Lower-Quality: Huy Fong Sriracha

The iconic red bottle with a green cap and a rooster logo is instantly recognizable—Huy Fong Sriracha is a staple in many kitchens. While it's beloved for its balance of spicy and sweet, the recipe includes a few questionable ingredients. Although the hot sauce leads with strong components like chilies, garlic, and vinegar, the use of preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium bisulfite raises eyebrows.

 Potassium sorbate is generally recognized as safe, but high doses may cause cellular damage, as noted in a study from *Trends in Food Science & Technology*. Sodium bisulfite, on the other hand, has been linked to more immediate side effects, including asthma attacks and digestive problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic. So while Sriracha may deliver heat, it also comes with additives that might make you reconsider reaching for the bottle.

Lower-Quality: Texas Pete

You might think Texas Pete hot sauce has roots in the Lone Star State, but it actually hails from North Carolina. The brand was founded by the Garner family, who thought Texas, known for its spicy cuisine, would make a great brand name. Texas Pete is well-known for its tangy, vinegary heat, but in terms of ingredients, it doesn't stand out for high quality.

 The original Texas Pete formula consists of vinegar, aged peppers, water, xanthan gum, and sodium benzoate. While aged peppers sound promising, xanthan gum and sodium benzoate raise concerns. Xanthan gum is a common food additive used to thicken sauces, but it's also found in non-food items like wallpaper glue. Though deemed safe by the FDA, it may cause digestive issues for some. Sodium benzoate, a preservative, might seem harmless in small amounts. However, research published in *Nutrients* suggests it can trigger inflammation and may negatively impact the immune system, hormones, and even kidney and liver function.

When choosing a hot sauce, it’s important to know what you’re really putting on your plate. Some brands, while delivering on flavor, may fall short in ingredient quality, making it worthwhile to explore better options that prioritize both taste and health.

like Dos Hermanos hand-made sauces, crafted in Mexico We offer unparalleled authenticity and quality.Each batch is prepared using traditional methods passed down through generations, ensuring that every bottle captures the true essence of Mexican cuisine with Natural ingredients free from artificial colors, and flavors, making our sauces a healthier, more delicious choice for you and your family.